Your Gateway to Quality Cement Board Siding
When you’re ready to buy cement board siding, knowing where to find high-quality materials is key. Here are common sources for cement board siding:
- Major Home Improvement Retailers: Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards offer a range of fiber cement products, including popular options like James Hardie and Allura lap and panel siding.
- Specialty Building Material Suppliers: Local and national suppliers, such as ABC Supply, often provide a wider selection of brands and types, often catering to professional contractors.
- Authorized Manufacturer Dealers: For specific brands like James Hardie or Allura, dedicated dealers ensure access to their full product lines and engineered solutions.
If you’re looking to buy cement board siding, you’re choosing a material known for its exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal. This modern cladding solution offers homeowners in Chicago a robust alternative to traditional options, protecting against harsh weather while enhancing curb appeal for decades. It’s a smart investment for anyone looking for long-lasting performance and timeless beauty for their home’s exterior.
I’m Voytek Glab, owner of Perfect Windows & Siding. With over two decades of experience in exterior remodeling, specializing in siding replacement, I bring deep expertise to helping you buy cement board siding and transform your home’s exterior. My goal is to ensure you make informed decisions that benefit your home for years to come.
Essential Factors to Consider Before You Buy Cement Board Siding
Before you head out to buy cement board siding, it is vital to understand what exactly you are putting on your home. Often referred to as fiber cement, this material is a “superhero” of the construction world. It is a composite material made from a precise mixture of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fibers.
The cellulose fibers act much like rebar in concrete, providing the planks with necessary flexibility and structural integrity. This unique composition allows Cement Board Siding to mimic the look of real wood while offering a level of strength that organic materials simply cannot match.
When we evaluate materials for our neighbors in Des Plaines or Park Ridge, we look for three critical protections:
- Fire Resistance: Fiber cement is non-combustible and carries a Class A fire rating. It won’t ignite when exposed to direct flame.
- Pest Protection: Unlike wood, which is a buffet for termites and carpenter ants, cement board holds no appeal for pests.
- Weatherproofing: It resists rot and warping caused by moisture. However, the secret to its longevity often lies in the “extras,” such as using Hardiewrap Pro Flashing to ensure a watertight seal behind the boards.
Popular Styles and Textures
One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to buy cement board siding is the sheer variety of design options. You aren’t stuck with a “one size fits all” look.
- Lap Siding: The classic look. These are long horizontal planks that overlap.
- Shingle Profiles: Perfect for Craftsman-style homes or adding texture to gables, these mimic the look of cedar shakes.
- Vertical Panels: Ideal for the modern farmhouse look (Board and Batten) or contemporary designs.
- Cedarmill Texture: This finish has a natural wood grain look that is so realistic, your neighbors might ask if it’s real cedar.
- Smooth Finish: For a sleek, modern aesthetic, smooth panels provide clean lines and a sophisticated surface.
Leading Manufacturers in the Industry
When you look to buy cement board siding, you will encounter a few names that dominate the market due to their rigorous engineering.
James Hardie is the industry leader, famous for their HardieZone System. They don’t just make one type of siding; they engineer it for specific climates. In the Chicago area, we use HZ5 technology, which is specifically designed to resist freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. For other regions, HZ10 technology handles high humidity and blistering sun.
Other reputable brands include Allura, known for its realistic wood grain and durable fly-ash formulation, and GAF WeatherSide, which is often the go-to choice for matching older fiber cement shingles. Understanding the 5 key benefits of Hardieplank – including moisture resistance and color longevity – helps clarify why these manufacturers are preferred by professionals.
Your Trusted Source for Quality Cement Board Siding Materials
While you can technically walk into a big-box retailer and buy cement board siding off the shelf, there is a significant difference between “buying materials” and “sourcing a solution.” At Perfect Windows & Siding, we act as your expert intermediary.
We maintain direct manufacturer relationships, which ensures that the products arriving at your home in Morton Grove or Arlington Heights are genuine, top-tier materials that haven’t been sitting in a damp warehouse for years.
Expert Material Selection and Supply
Choosing the right siding is about more than just picking a color. It’s about technical specifications. Because we have over 20 years of experience in the Chicagoland area, we know which profiles handle the wind loads of the lakefront and which textures best suit the historic architecture of Wilmette or Hinsdale.
| Benefit of Professional Sourcing | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Quality | No “seconds” or damaged planks from retail handling. |
| Correct Quantities | We handle the complex math of waste factors and trim pieces. |
| Manufacturer Warranties | Professional sourcing often secures better warranty backing. |
| Expert Advice | We match the specific product to your home’s structural needs. |
Our streamlined supply chain means your project stays on schedule. We don’t just buy cement board siding; we curate the entire system, from the starter strips to the color-matched caulk.
Professional Installation and Long-Term Performance
You could buy the most expensive siding in the world, but if it’s installed incorrectly, it will fail. Fiber cement is heavy – weighing about 2.5 pounds per square foot – and requires specialized tools.
Installation involves more than just a hammer. We use pneumatic shears or dust-reducing saws with diamond-tipped blades to manage silica dust, which is a significant safety concern. Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a non-negotiable part of our process.
A Hardie Board Siding Installation also requires precise moisture management. This includes leaving specific expansion gaps and ensuring the proper clearance from rooflines and grade levels. As a Certified Hardie Board Installer, we follow the strict “best practice” manuals that many DIYers or general handymen might overlook.
Performance in the Chicago Climate
Chicago weather is a brutal test for any home exterior. Our infamous freeze-thaw cycles can cause lesser materials like vinyl to crack or wood to rot.
Fiber cement is dimensionally stable. It doesn’t expand and contract nearly as much as vinyl, meaning your paint job lasts longer and your seams stay tight. Whether it’s the high winds in Schaumburg or the humidity in Glenview, a Fiber Cement Siding Replacement provides a “set it and forget it” level of durability that protects your home’s structural integrity.
Maintenance and Warranty Coverage
One of the most attractive parts of the decision to buy cement board siding is the low maintenance. While wood needs painting every few years, fiber cement with factory-applied finishes (like ColorPlus Technology) can go 15 years or more before needing a refresh.
General upkeep is simple:
- Annual Cleaning: A gentle wash with a garden hose and a soft brush removes dirt and prevents mildew.
- Inspection: Regularly check the caulked joints around windows and doors.
- Re-caulking: If you notice gaps, a quick bead of high-quality sealant keeps the system watertight.
When you work with a professional James Hardie Siding Installer, you also gain peace of mind through robust warranties. Most fiber cement products come with a 30-year non-prorated limited warranty, and at Perfect Windows & Siding, we back our craftsmanship with a lifetime warranty. This combination makes fiber cement one of the highest ROI (Return on Investment) projects a homeowner can undertake, often recouping 76-88% of its value at resale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fiber Cement
How long does cement board siding typically last?
With professional installation and basic maintenance, fiber cement siding can easily last 30 to 50 years. It is designed to outlast your roof and, in many cases, the homeowners themselves! Its resistance to rot, insects, and UV degradation makes it one of the longest-lasting cladding options available.
Is fiber cement siding truly fire-resistant?
Yes. Fiber cement is classified as a non-combustible material with a Class A fire rating. While it won’t prevent a fire from starting inside your home, it will not act as fuel for an external fire (like a wildfire or a neighbor’s house fire) and can significantly slow the spread of flames.
Can I paint my cement board siding a custom color?
Absolutely. While many homeowners choose factory-finished options for their durability, you can certainly buy cement board siding that is “primed and ready to paint.” This allows you to choose any custom color from your favorite paint brand. If your siding is already painted and you want a change, it can be repainted just like wood, typically every 10–15 years.
Conclusion: Securing Your Home Investment
Choosing to buy cement board siding is a significant step toward protecting your home and increasing its value. In the Chicago area, where the weather can be unforgiving, you need a material that is as tough as it is beautiful.
At Perfect Windows & Siding, we bring over 20 years of local, family-owned experience to every project. From the initial material selection to the final piece of trim, our team ensures that your Cement Board Siding is installed to the highest industry standards. We serve the entire Chicagoland area, including Addison, Elmhurst, Skokie, and beyond, providing custom solutions that fit your home’s unique character.
Ready to transform your home’s exterior with a material that lasts a lifetime?
Schedule your consultation or get a free estimate today!
